GMMA-Based Vaccines: The Known and The Unknown

Area of Science:

• Vaccinology
• Microbial biotechnology

Background:

• Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) are derived from Gram-negative bacteria.
• GMMA are engineered for an over-vesiculating phenotype, serving as a vaccine platform.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advancements in the GMMA vaccine platform.
• To highlight successful applications and identify knowledge gaps.

Main Methods:

• Genetic engineering of bacteria to produce GMMA.
• Evaluation of GMMA immunogenicity and protection in animal models.
• Assessment of GMMA safety and immunogenicity in clinical studies.

Main Results:

• GMMA demonstrate strong immunogenicity and protection in preclinical models.
• GMMA are well-tolerated and immunogenic in human clinical trials.
• High immunogenicity is attributed to particulate size, natural antigen presentation, and self-adjuvanticity.

Conclusions:

• GMMA represent an attractive platform for affordable vaccine design.
• Further investigation is needed to elucidate GMMA's mechanism of action and adjuvanticity.
• Potential challenges and future directions for GMMA vaccine development are identified.